Internal-combustion engine



May 13 1924., 1,494,261

A. LOETSCHER INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed March 18. 1922 lA/l/E/VTOI? A. Loeiscnor.

ATTORNEYS WITNESSES Patented May 13, 1924.

UNH'ED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALVIN LOETSCHER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

Application filed March 18, 1922. Serial No. 544,861.

an improvement of this character which is automatic in its operation and serves to enhance the character of the combustible charge so that the hydro-carbon contained therein is completely consumed while at the same time deposits of carbon are prevented and the efficiency of the engine is in general enhanced.

Another object is to provide an improvement of this character in which the supply of water is under control of an electromagnetic means responsive to the demand of the engine whereby water is supplied to the engine only at such times and in such quantities as may be necessary and proper.

Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of the construction, arrangement and combination of parts which will be hereinafter more particularly described and pointed out in the appended claim, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Figure 1 is a View in elevation showing the invention embodied in an internal combustion engine, and

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating the valve and electro-magnetic control.

Referring to the drawings wherein for the sake of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, numeral 5 designates the cylinders of an internal combustion engine which may be of any conventional type and which is preferably equipped with an electric generator 6 shown as comprising a magneto but which may be dynamo or the like. The magneto is driven from the crank shaft of the engine in the conventional manner as by means of the usual gearing 7. An intake manifold 8 leads to the cylinders of the engine and includes an intake or induction pipe 9 fed from a carburetor 10 of standard design.

A water supply pipe 11 leads from the water acket of the engine to the intake pipe 9 and serves to supply water from water jacket to the induction pipe as will be here inafter more fully described. A valve casing 12 is incorporated in the pipe 11 and includes a portion 13 arranged within and completely obstructing the bore of the pipe,

the portion 13 having formed thereon a conical valve seat 13 and being provided with ports 14. It is to be understood that any ater which flows through the pipe must pass through the ports 14. Below the valve casing 12 a sediment plug 15 is arranged which is removable so that access may be had to the ports when it is desired. to clean the same.

A valve 16 of conical form operates in thevalve casing 12 and coacts with the seat 13 thereof and when the valve 16 snugly engages the seat it closes the ports 14L and prevents flow of water therethrough. The valve 16 is provided with a stem 17 which extends up through and exteriorly of the casing 12 and within the casing a bushing 18 encircles the stem. Suitable packing 18 is provided for the stem, if desired. A flanged cap 19 closes the upper end of the valve casing and preferably this flanged cap is integrally formed with the bushing 18.

Exteriorly of the valve casing 12 the stem 17 has secured thereto a head 20 which is so constructed and arranged as to constitute the armature of an electromagnet 21 suitably supported upon the engine. The electromagnet is connected in series with the electric generator 6 by means of conduc tors 22.

A retractile coil spring 23 is arranged on the stem 17 and has one end connected to the cap 19 as at 24c and has its other end connected to the head 20 as at 25. The spring 23 tends to maintain the valve 16 closed against the action of the magnet 21.

If desired, a shut-off valve 26 may be incorporated in the pipe 11. This valve may comprise simply a shut-off valve or may be of the graduated port type of rotary plug valve by which the area of the flow passage may be varied. I

In operation, when the engine is started and at low engine speeds, the motion trans mitted to the armature of the electric gen-- erator is of relatively low velocity and therefore the current delivered to the solenoid is of relatively small value. Consequently the intensity of the magnetic field is not suiticient to attract the armature against the action of the spring 23 so that the Valve 16 remains closed at such times. As the speed of the engine increases it is desirable that a quantity of water he introduced into the cylinders of the engine as at such times the water not only brings about complete coinhustion but minimizes de )osits of carbon and renders theengine smooth and even running while at the same time developing a ma);- iinuin of speed and power with a ininiinun'i consumption of fuel. hen the speed of the engine so increases the current delivered from the generator to the electroinagnet increases in value and consequently the intensity of the magnetic field ii'icreases to such a degree that the armature 20 will he attracted against the action of the retractile coil spring 23. lVhen the arn'riture is so attracted it pulls the valve stem 17 and consequently the valve 16 upwardly so that the valve 16 is spaced from the valve seat 13 and uncovers the ports 14 allowing the water to pass through these ports whereby the water flows from the water jacket-through the pipe 12 into the induction pipe 9 wherein it commingles with the combustible 'clnrr'ge. The suction or pumping etlect of the pistons e'tl'ects the flow of the water and this suction together with the heat to which the water is sulwjected in the water jachct serves to condition the wat er so as to better adapt it to mingle with the charge. As soon as the speed of the engine decreases the coil spring 23 will return the valve to closed position and shut-oil the supply of water.

It is to he understod that in lieu of using the water of the water jacket of the cooling system of the engine there may he provided a water tank or reservoir or other suit able source of water supply from which the pipe ll takes its water.

ll hat I claim is:

In a device for supplying moisture to an internal combustion engine a water supply pipe leading into the engine from the water jacket thereof, a valve casing incorporated in said water supply pipe and con'ipletely obstructing the bore of said pipe, said casing having ports therein within the bore of the pipe, a valve controlling said ports and having a valve stem extending exteriorly ot the casing, electro'anagnetic means arranged in juxtaposition to said valve casing, said valve stem havinga head at the outer end thereofl said head constituting an armature for the electromagnet, and a retractile coil spring'associated with the valve stem and tending to retain the valve closed.

' ALVIN LOETSCHER. 

